Mrs. Merritt then related the events of the 
night and gave her son the paper of which 
Patience bad told her. 
“My uncle’s will mother? Why, where did 
Patience get it?” 
“I don’t know Barley, unless she found it in 
the house last night, I surmise she and Jonas 
had a time there, and that she ran away; her 
clothes were wet and tom and dirty, and 
covered with green moss and mud. Jonas is 
married; but he’s got no wife; if the poor 
child lives she'll never go back. As long as 
she held my hand she kept whispering, ‘forger, 
thief, villain; I’ll never be your wife; never, 
never,’ until the poor creature fell into a sort 
of daze and shut her eyes and never moved 
again. No, my dear boy, you had better go 
back again, I will stay with Patience until 
she is better or—” 
(To be Continued.) 
bring himself to believe this was more than a 
passing affair; that Patience would recover 
in a short time; nay. at times his wrath would 
rise at the thought that it was bis daughter’s 
own fault, her own obstinacy and willfulness, 
that had brongbt her to this condition. And 
he clenched his hand and dashed it on his 
knee, as the thought occurred to him repeat¬ 
edly, and by and by his dread disappeared 
and gave place to anger at the disturbance 
of his plans. 
Soon after morning broke, the doctor, who 
recognized at once the serious nature of the 
case, returned. Mrs. Merritt was anxious to 
go home for a short time to procure some 
necessaries, and her own affairs were trouble 
enough for her. The doctor bid her hasten 
and determined to stay with his patient until 
she returned. 
Patience lay and breathed, but gave no 
other sign of life. Her bounding pulse told of 
the inward disturbance, and her total uncon¬ 
sciousness showed how great was her nervous 
disorder. The doctor’s practised eye saw with 
alarm, these direful symptoms and he sought 
Bartlett to confer with him. 
omen 
CONDUCTED BY MISS RAY CLARK. 
THE STOEY OF STONY BROOK FAEM 
ANNOUNCEMENT TO OUR LADY 
READERS, 
HENRY 8TEWART. 
PREMIUMS FOR THE BEST ARTICLES ON GIVEN 
CHAPTER XIX. 
(Continued from page S8S ) 
While these events were occurring there 
was unofcher sad scene at Widow Merritt’s 
house. It was early in the same evening 
that Barley Merritt arrived, weary and travel 
stained, and without knocking or announcing 
in any way his presence, rushed into his 
mother’s cottage. No persou had recognized 
him as he passed through the village, the 
sole passenger in the stage on that dreary 
evening. 
Mrs. Merritt was alone and busy knitting; 
tears were falling from her eyes; when the 
door opened suddenly, and a man whom she 
did not recognize, rushed in and clasped her 
in his arms. 
“ God bless you, mother! I have come back.” 
“ My boy ! my boy 1” exclaimed the startled 
woman, and fell fainting in his arms. He 
laid her upon the sofa, dashed water upon 
her face, poured some between her lips and 
kissed her over and over again. Slowly her 
eyes opened; she reached out her hand and 
again fainted. 
“Oh, I’ve killed her; killed her;” cried 
Barley; “why was I not more careful ? I 
ought to have gone somewhere else first, and 
then broken this to her." 
Soon his mother revived and was able to 
speak. “ It was too much for me, my dear 
boy. to see you come back from the grave. 
Oh, Barley, how I have suffered. And you, 
you have suffered too, my dear boy. But you 
are alive and not lost as I have supposed. 
Where have you been and what has hap. 
pened ?” 
41 But tell me mother, first, how is Patience, 
and is she married ?” 
“ Alas I my dear boy, I have bad news for 
you. She is not well. And she was married 
this afternoon, or was to be and, I suppose, is.” 
“ Oh, mother, there never was such a fate 
as mine, surely. And I have come too late 
after all. I cannot tell you all now. I am 
worn out. A week ago I was the only soul 
saved from a ship sunk in the lake as I was on 
my way home; I floated on the lake on the 
wrecked vessel three days, and the rest of 
the time I have been traveling to reach home, 
and am too late. Mother, I am worn out; 
make me & warm drink, so that I can get 
some sleep, and I will go to bed and try and 
forget niy troubles.” 
And the good woman seeing her boy needed 
nursing, mixed bita one of her old-fashioned 
possets and got him to bed where, completely 
exhausted, he was soon buried in sleep. 
Then came the hurried call of Defiance 
Bartlett; and Mrs. Merritt, taking a look at 
her son who slept soundly, wrapped her cloak 
around her, took her lantern, put out the 
light in the house, closed her door and 
hastened to the Bartlett homestead. She 
found Patience still unconscious. She kissed 
the pale cold cheeks: quickly removed her 
drenched clothing; laid her in the bed; heated 
water; bathed the cold feet, and wrapped 
the chilled limbs in warm blankets; washed 
the stained face and lips and chafing the cold 
limp bands awaited the arrival of the doctor. 
He scon arrived, and after a time restored 
the fainting girl to something like life; but 
the eyes were closed and she seemed to sleep. 
It is a nervous attack said he. Her nerves are 
all unstrung and I fear she will have brain 
fever. He ordered ice to be applied to the 
head and left some medicine: told Mrs. Mer¬ 
ritt not to leave the patient fora moment, and 
promised to return early in the morning. 
Soon Patience opened her eyes and seeing 
Mrs. Merritt, smiled, and tried to reach out her 
hand. “Oh, what an escape I have had, Mary. 
Look in my clothes and get a paper. It is for 
you. Quick, get it and take care of it for 
Barley; go uow.” And she again closed her 
eyes and turned her head upon the pillow. 
Mrs. Merritt sought and found the paper 
and put it safely in the bosom of her dress 
and satdown by the bedside holding Patience’s 
hand in both of her own. Now and then a 
gentle pressure of the weak hand signified a 
knowledge of her presence; but slowly the 
pressure became weaker and weaker and the 
hand soou became passive in her grasp. 
Her father came several times to inquire if 
he could do anything, but except to bring a 
new supply of ice, he could do nothing. And 
bo he sat by the kitchen stove and smoked and 
Bmoked through the whole night. Was his 
conscience awakened at last ? Had he dis¬ 
covered that his daughter was a second victim 
to his ungovernable selfishness and iy rannical 
obstinacy ? Ah, uo I He was only tbiukiug 
that the neighbors might blame him for the 
effects of this misjudged and forced marriage, 
and if his daughter should die what a burden 
would be cast upon his hands. He would not 
TOPICS 
Our lady friends have no doubt read in the 
Rural, “ Notes from a Stockman,” “Notes 
from Rural Clubs,’’etc. Now, why cannotwe 
have “ notes ” also ? Notes from farm homes, 
note s from city homes. The work of the home 
is of equally as much importance, and of as 
great magnitude, as the kinds done by hus¬ 
bands and fathers at their offices, stores, or on 
the farms. No one enjoys having a well ar¬ 
ranged house with everything in “apple-pie 
order,” better than these husbands and fathers 
who come home at night tired with the day’s 
labor. 
And now we propose to give our friends 
who love, and read the Rural, a chance to 
talk through its columns; to give us home 
experience; or perhaps allow us to take peeps 
into their cosy sitting rooms; clean, tidy 
kitchens, and airy, well arranged bed rooms. 
We think that it will add greater weight, if 
we show our appreciation of the articles which 
may be contributed, in a substantial manner, 
and have concluded to offer tee following as 
a partial remuneration. 
First let us Btate the subjects selected which 
seem to us to have the most interest for the 
general housekeeper and home lover. They 
are as follows: 
SUBJECTS. 
1. The city and country kitchen. 
2. A modern Christmas dinner. 
8 Dining in the old time and the new. 
4. Rural homes within and without—or 
home decorations and outside surroundings. 
5 The time to arise, retire, and how to sys¬ 
tematize the work for the day. 
6 . How to spend the evenings. 
7. Personal adornment or the necessity of 
looking well at home, vs. untidiness. 
8 Our American Girls. 
9. Woman’s Recreations. 
10. Amateur art work, or hints for home 
decoration. 
The premiums will be awarded to the writer 
of the best article on each subject and in 
choosing them we have selected those of equal 
value as to cost, though some will be more 
attractive or useful perhaps than others. But 
we desire to suit our friends in this matter, 
and if they will mention their choice, it shall 
be our pleasure to grant it if possible. 
There is only one of each kind; so, if it hap¬ 
pens that some one has already selected that 
which has been chosen by another, we shal 
use our very best judgment, and send the one 
we consider next best for them. 
premiums. 
“ The Ladies of the White House, or in 
the home of the Presidents." By Laura C. 
Holloway. This is a book of 600 pages giving 
a complete history of all the women who have 
graced the White House from Martha Wash¬ 
ington down to Lucretia R. Garfield, with a 
steel portrait of each. A work which would 
adorn and honor the drawing room table of 
any lady. 
“History of Woman’s Suffrage,” in two 
voluons, 950 pages each. An exhaustive work 
on this subject, containing twenty-four 
fine steel portraits of the noble women who 
are to be honored for their labors in this di¬ 
rection. 
Pickle caster. 
One dozen silver plated teaspoons. 
Six silver plated tablespoons. 
Six silver plated forks. 
Child’s drinking cup. 
Carver, fork and steel. 
One child’s knife, fork and spoon. 
Six rubber-handle dessert knives. 
The books we offer are of the highest or¬ 
der, as their titles indicate, and the price of 
each is $5, so that there is no difference in 
value, but a matter of choice only; and the 
same can be said of the rest of the premiums. 
We hope that this offer, which closes Feb¬ 
ruary 15, 1888 will meet with a hearty re¬ 
sponse from all who are interested in this de¬ 
partment of the Rural, which we are desir- 
AN AFRICAN’S IDEA OF JUSTICE, 
Coleridge relates a story to this effect- 
Alexander, during his march into Africa, came 
to a people dwelling in peaceful huts, who 
knew neither war nor conquest. 
Gold being offered him, he re¬ 
fused it, saying that bis sole 
object was to learn the man¬ 
ners and customs of the inhabi¬ 
tants. 
“ Stay with us,” said the 
chief, “as long as it pleaseth 
thee.” 
During this interview with 
rhii.jv the African chief, two of his 
/ > subjects brought a case be- 
V ' C~„ fore him for judgment. The 
/ j >, -V dispute was this: the one had 
S-f) bought a piece of ground 
• which, after the purchase, was 
found to contain a treasure, 
n for which he found himself 
• v-- bound to pay. The other re- 
)- • fused to receive anything, 
> stating that he had sold the 
ground with what it might be 
found tj contain, apparent 
or concealed. 
Said the chief, looking at 
the one, “You have a son,” 
... , and to the other, “ you have 
^"* v a daughter; let them be mar. 
! ried, and the treasure given 
l- them as a dowry.” 
/ Alexander was astonished. 
I 44 And what.” said the chief, 
I “ would have been the decision 
! in your country?” 
I “ We should have dismissed 
the parties and seized the 
treasure for the king’3 use.” 
“ And does the sun shine 
in your country?” said the 
chief: “does the rain fall there? Are there 
any cattle there which feed upon the herbs 
and green grass?" 
“Certainly,”said Alexander, 
“ Ah I” said the chief, “ it is for the sake of 
those innocent cattle that the Great Being 
permits the sun to shine, the rain to fall, and 
the grass to grow in your country." 
The Progressive Farmer at the Station.—Fig. 476, 
" Moanin’, doctor, how’s the gal ? I guess 
she’ll be up soon, won’t she i I don’t know 
how we’re goin’ to get along without her.” 
“ Your daughter may be dead before night, 
Mr. Bartlett. If she lives over the day she 
will have brain fever, and what the result 
may be God only knows. What brought on 
this attack ?” 
And Bartlett related in his way some of the 
history of the case, laying continued stress 
upon the willfulness and obstinacy of his 
daughter. 
The doctor who had heard much of this affair 
through the common gossip of the village 
easily saw through it. “Well, sir, it’s the 
mercy of God your daughter is alive; had not 
the bleeding of the lungs occurred the heart 
would in all probability have been ruptured 
and she would have died of a broken heart. 
Now, she must be well nursed; she must not 
be left a moment. She won’t be out of her 
bed in mouths perhaps, if she lives over the 
day. But she must be kept perfectly still and 
quiet. You cannot hove a better nurse than 
Mrs. Merritt, and you had better keep her 
here. You have made a great mistake, Mr. 
Bartlett, in the treatment of that girl, 1 fear; 
and you have brought her to death’s door. 
Now you will have to exercise great patience 
and nurse her carefully or you will lose her as 
you lost her mother.” And then the doctor 
returned to his patient. 
When left alone Defiance Bartlett shook his 
fist at the departing doctor. “They’re all 
alike” said he; “they’re all agin me.” And then 
he left the house and went out to feed the cows. 
When Mrs. Merritt regained her home she 
found Barley still sleeping; as she stooped 
over him to kiss his lips and a hot tear fell 
upon his cheek, her son awoke. “Mother, 
dear mother, what’s the matter? Don’t cry; 
I can bear my troubles alone. I have been 
dreaming, and somehow it seems to me things 
may yet come right. I am going back again 
to-night.” 
4 Do, my boy, if you are able to travel; if 
not stay and rest.” 
“No one here has seen me, mother, and I can 
go back by the night train from Goshen and 
no one will know I’ve been here. I would 
rather have it so.” 
BOOKS AND MAGAZINES. 
The Live Oak Boys; or, the Adventures 
of Richard Constable afloat and ashore. 
By Elijah Kellogg. Lee & Shepard, Publish¬ 
ers. Price $1.25. Another hook for boys 
that has a healthful tone, and a treat for 
w hoever may be fortunate in possessing it. 
“ The Prize 4 ” for girls and boys. A month¬ 
ly journal, bound handsomely .having a finely 
colored ebromo on the first page of each 
month. No one could fail to please the little 
folks by presenting them with this book. 
Price only 75 cents, and is published by Estes 
& Lauriat, Boston, Mass. 
The Young Silver Seekers; or, Hal 
and Ned in the Marvelous Country. By 
Samuel Woodworth Cozzens. Lee & Shep¬ 
ard, Publishers. Price $1. This is the third 
and last volume of the Young Trail Hunters 
series, and a very interesting work for boys. - 
Chatterbox for Christmas, 1883. Estes 
& Lauriat, Publishers, Boston, Mass. 
These book9, which have been issued tor 
several years as a Christmas book, do not 
lose any of their good reputation that has so 
long been established. Nothing printed could 
be fuller of pictures and good stories. 
Those who are not familiar with the name 
of the Rural New-Yorker should inquire of 
those who are. 7 he leading pomologists, farm¬ 
ers and fruit-growers will tell you it is the 
best paper. It was established in 1850 a* 
Moore-s Rural New Yorker. This is the sixth 
year of its present tnanagement. Its first 
aim is to make rural homes happy and to ele¬ 
vate agriculture to its proper level—as the 
noblest occupation of man. The proprietors 
merely ask that all should send for specimen 
copies — compare- them with other journals 
and— subscribe for the best. 
